The Best Hotels to Book in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Blessed with all the international style and amenities you’d expect of Hilton, this Cedar Rapids hotel is right in the middle of town. Close by is the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, one of the best regional galleries in America and home to the largest Grant Wood collection. Expect high-quality touches, such as 300-thread-count sheets and 42in HDTVs. Accessible rooms of all types are also available.

This seven-story international-style hotel in Cedar Rapids is a little way out of the town center but close to plenty of shops, cinemas and other distractions. Try the Sky Zone Trampoline Park – ideal for kids – or perhaps the 18 challenging holes and driving range at St Andrews Golf Club. When checking in, it’s impossible to miss the two-story water feature in the atrium. There’s an indoor pool, a full-service restaurant and a fitness center, and all the spacious rooms feature up-to-date amenities.

This ultra-modern establishment has a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, the best of any hotel in Cedar Rapids. Awarded for its ecofriendly practices, it’s a teaching hotel, so there’s always a hospitality student or staff member on hand. Its angular glass exterior is matched by a high-design interior. There’s eclectic contemporary furniture in the gleaming lobby, bold room decor, such as marble-patterned bedspreads, and more than 100 artworks by local artists adorning the walls. Google Chromecast and 50in HDTVs are standard in every room.

This Best Western is a decent choice for families. Children (under 17) stay for free when accompanied by a paying adult, and there’s a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. The extensive amenities at this Cedar Rapids hotel include an 8,000sqft (743sqm) fitness center, a full-service restaurant and an indoor heated pool. Comfortable rooms are decorated in muted grays, browns and maroon; some also include kitchenettes for self-caterers. If you want to play a round of disc golf, the Legion Disc Golf Course is a five-minute walk away, and surrounding dining options include Persis Biryani Indian Grill.

This Marriott gets our vote as the best wallet-friendly, accessible hotel in Cedar Rapids. Signs are in Braille throughout, while accessible suites are fitted with extras, such as grab bars and wheel-in showers in the bathrooms. Rooms and suites of all varieties are smartly decorated in red and cream and include thoughtful touches, such as down and foam pillows. Families will enjoy the picnic and barbecue areas and playground, and pets are welcome.

One for the self-caterers, this Cedar Rapids hotel is an all-suite property. The kitchenettes are fully stocked and come with stoves and microwaves, but if you don’t feel like cooking, the Pedalers Fork and Taj Mahal Cuisine of India are just a couple of dining options within walking distance. The decor is bold and modern, with deep sofas and electric-blue armchairs marrying style with comfort. Facility-wise, there’s an indoor heated pool, self-service laundry and a fitness center with the latest elliptical trainers, free weights and more. Accessibility is considered, too, with wheelchair-accessible rooms and common areas.

Several miles south of central Cedar Rapids, en route to Eastern Iowa Airport, this Residence Inn is ideal for those flying early or late. At this all-suite hotel, families and larger groups will welcome separate living areas, fully equipped kitchens and roll-out sofa beds. Those who are socially inclined can meet other guests over complimentary drinks and light food at the Mix each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening, while active guests will enjoy the basketball court, indoor heated pool and well-equipped fitness center.

Sitting north of a broad bend in the Cedar River, this hotel in Cedar Rapids is close to some of the most pleasant green spaces in the city. There are two golf courses (Twin Pines and Ellis) in case you wish to dust off your golf clubs, plus riverside parks, such as Manhattan/Robbins Lake, Seminole Valley and Mohawk. There’s even an early-20th-century open-air museum – the Ushers Ferry Historic Village, where you can acquaint yourself with the city’s history. The hotel itself has an on-site restaurant, a pool, a gym and sleek rooms with Suite Dreams beds by Serta.